Wine Journalism

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• Wine Institute Hosts Second Global Buyers Marketplace in California

Vintners look to increase exports to Canada, the EU and Asia, while meeting buyers from 80+ countries 

• Fire Insurance Expert Panel Tells Wine Execs - "Mitigate, Mitigate, and Then Mitigate Some More"

“Insuring the Uninsurable? Protecting Your Business from Risk,” featured state of the art advice on both fire prevention and dealing with insurance companies

• Economist Tells Wine Execs Media's Negative Narrative at Odds With Economic Facts

“There has been a disconnect between the narrative of how the economy is doing and how you're actually doing,” Williams said. 

• Harvest 2023 - "It Surprised Us: Every Vineyard Had Extra Fruit"

A downgraded freak tropical storm; a crop that sized unexpectedly; big yields from rains; a late harvest and a compacted crush.

• "A Necessary Evolution": Regulators Outline Sustainable Pest Management's First Steps

DPR said it is likely that fumigants will top the list of priority pesticides.

• Emerging Trends: Import Experts Talk Bright and Low Spots in the Global Wine Economy at California Wines Global Buyers Marketplace

Consumers are trading down, but the high-end remains solid, said experts on an importers panel

• Organic Farming Costs: Craig Ledbetter Offers Insight Into Fertilizers, IPM and Clients Who Prefer Handpicking

Does it cost more to farm organically? Yes. But it can be profitable

• Craig Ledbetter of Lodi's Vino Farms Bullish on Organic (Part 1 of 2)

“We're doing organic because I see an opportunity, and the writing on the wall is there," Ledbetter said. 

• Pinot Noir Harvest 2023: The Race to Ripen

"Some varieties that are out there, that, with this rain, could have some problems either getting ripe or staying clean..."

• 2023 Harvest Dance: Is Topsy Turvy the New Normal? Or Is There Such a Thing As Normal Anymore?

“They're picking Chard and Cabs off on top of each other. It's pretty crazy,” said Christian Klier, North Coast Grape Broker with Turrentine Brokerage

• Invasive Species Report Puts $424 Billion Global Price Tag on Biological Invasions

Invasives include vine mealybug, the European grapevine moth, the Virginia creeper leafhopper, and Pierce’s Disease, grape growers' most challenging pests. Yet the state cut funding to combat them.

• The California Race to Stop the Invasion of the Dreaded Spotted LanternflyThe first wine grape pest to achieve celebrity status before its arrival in California, but scientists have their sites set on preventing its spread

• Supermarket Giants Safeway and Albertsons Enter the World of Online Fine Wine with Direct Shipping

The new fine wine portal is a giant leap for the retailer

• ChatGPT Sparks Growing Interest in A.I. - Can It Help the Wine Industry?

...it does well as a first draft machine for writing copy, emails and more

• Nonalcoholic Wines: Emerging Innovators and Big Guns Enter the Growing $56 Million+ Category

N.A. wine supporters see bright spots on the horizon–especially in the on premise world.

Azolla: Pond Pest or Miracle Fertilizer? Native Species Offers an Alternative to Fossil Fuels

Aquatic carbon sequestration or vegan fertilizer are just two of the reasons to learn more about Azolla, a native plant that one wine grower uses for his farm's fertility.

• From Churn to Earn: Disrupting and Democratizing Distribution--LibDib's First Seven Years

Today LibDib, started in 2016, is a solution for 400 wine brands in 14 states

• California's Organic Wave: Wine Grape Acreage Increases By 1,774 Acres in Last 12 Months

Four properties with a total of 1,370 acres or 77 percent of the new acres are a mix of family owned (Jackson, Halter Ranch, Stolpman) as well as big corporations (Constellation)

• Through a Wide Angle Lens: Restaurant Wine Buyers Panel Talks Trends and Growth at Bulk Wine Expo

Sauvignon Blanc and Sancerre are on fire as are non alcoholic wines

• Getting on the Shelf: Retailers' Insider Stories

Retail buyers gave advice to producers on what works in real life

• "He Had Insane Trust": Paul Dolan's Celebration of Life Sendoff in Mendocino

Wine greats, members of the winemaking community and friends and family gathered Friday, August 4 at Dark Horse Vineyard 

• State of the Art in E-Commerce: How Experts Sell More Wine

Selling wine online got a boost from the pandemic, but it’s not a forever favor, according to digital marketing and sales leaders

• Biodynamic Viticulture Class in Napa Features Italian Allstars

Biodynamics may be among the most misunderstood terms in the wine industry but not any more.

• NielsenIQ Thought Leader Talks Trends, New Approaches to Woo Next Gen Consumers

LDA recruitment, competition from RTDs, and “time starved” consumers who are channel switching more purchases to convenience stores were some of the big trends

• Nickels and Dimes: Wine Industry Prepares for California's New Bottle Bill Redemption Requirement

For a state and an industry with a green image, California and its wineries have a big recycling problem.

•  Smoke Experts and Health Authorities Critical of Prescribed Burn in Sonoma

Smoke harmed public health and possibly affected vines. 

• At ASEV: Forecasting the Future, Part 2: Prioritizing Key Grower Challenges in the Era of Climate Change

Best advice from latest research on irrigating during extreme heat and closing thoughts from Gallo's noted expert Nick Dokoozlian

• At ASEV: Forecasting the Future, Part 1: Prioritizing Key Grower Challenges in the Era of Climate Change

Warming temperatures, extreme heat and variable rainfall–and the best advice on how to mitigate. 

• At ASEV: Former OIV Leader's Big Picture Thinking Part 2 - The Search for the New Ideal Wine

Consumer trends, new labeling laws increasing transparency and wine style responses to higher alcohol grapes are dramatically shaping the future of wine.

• At ASEV: Former OIV Leader's Big Picture Thinking Part 1 - Climate Change and Winemaking

She outlined how weather whiplash and fluctuating extremes are affecting the wine industry as a whole. Winemaking and wines will change.

• In Memoriam: Organic and Biodynamic Pioneer Paul Dolan, "Ahead of the Curve"

"He was a leader in the whole process of scaling up organic and biodynamic agriculture and regenerative organic.”

• Groundwater Recharge: A Work in Progress

After years of drought, California wine grape growers and irrigation districts are stepping up their efforts to recharge groundwater, capitalizing on 2023’s historic rains. How big will the impact be?

• Celebrate Life: The Wines and the People at Miljenko Grgich's 100th Birthday Celebration

Rare historic wines, pivotal moments and family and friends - Croatian born Mike Grgich’s 100 year long life were celebrated in two days of festivities earlier this month, with luminaries and friends from far and wide that illustrated the arc of his career beginning with his arrival in the valley in 1958.

• From Wood Chips and Mushroom Extracts to Vintner Coalitions: Government Funded Ecosystem Restoration Projects Enhance Vineyard Resilience

How Russian River community growers, Jackson Family Wines, and the Dry Creek Rancheria Pomo tribe worked together to leverage millions in government grants from conservation agencies to overcome the twin climate challenges of wildfire and drought and build ecosystem resilience.

• "Plant Based and Climate Friendly": SF Chronicle's Esther Mobley Tells Wineries to Woo Younger Consumers with Green Messaging

Leading wine writer tells industry Gen Z and Millennials care a lot about climate, recommends leveraging that interest

• Sonoma Valley's Rossi Ranch Acclaimed as To Kalon for Grenache

An old vine vineyard planted in 1910 finds new life in Rhone varieties sought after by 100 point winemakers from Napa

• California Pesticide Regulators Set a New Course to Reduce Toxic Chemicals

Top agencies signal an agro-ecological shift and softer materials may lie ahead

• Vineyard Automation Faces State Labor Regulation Challenges, Unified Symposium Expert Panel Finds

Self driving tractors in vineyards must overcome outdated regulations based on 80 year old technology, growers say 

• USDA Climate Smart Ag Grant Funds Five Year, $2 Million Soil Carbon Inventory Project for Fine Wine Producers

Local soil samples and computer algorithms will model soil carbon parameters and pinpoint changes, advancing research by reducing the cost of soil carbon sampling with low cost modeling methods based on large datasets.

• New Tech: Two Soil Carbon Measurement Startups Get a Boost from USDA Climate Smart Ag Grants

USDA funds startups trying to increase and lower costs of soil carbon measurement methods.

• Winners and Losers in New Consumer Study on Nutritional and Ingredient Wine Labeling

Low sugar–a winner. Sulphur dioxide–a loser. The study was as revealing about consumer preferences as it was about consumer perceptions.

• TTB Likely to Seek Wine Industry Input on Nutritional Wine Labeling in 2023

While the EU is already poised to finalize new regulations on nutritional wine labeling, the federal government in U.S. is beginning the process.

• Wine Industry Finance Conference Financial Symposium Closing Keynote: Growing Stoller Wine Group

Gary Mortenson's journey from tech startup veteran to wine industry growth champion and innovator

• Turning Data into Sales and Profit

Insights from industry leaders at the Wine Industry Finance Conference on optimizing wineries bottom lines through smart business practices

• California Exports: The Money's in the Middle

 Post pandemic powwow connects 80 buyers, 26 countries to California

• Scout & Cellar's Road to Growth

Social selling combined with mostly organic standards and nutritional info a winning combination

• Landmark $369 Billion Federal Climate Bill Provides Wine Industry with Funding to Combat Climate Change

Growers' perks: electric pickups, fire prevention, water storage and more

• Top Retailers Outline Buying Programs for Private Label and Branded Wines

Top buyers for BevMo and Target weigh in on organics and more

• Southern Glazer's Sustainability Ramps Up

Giant distributor on green journey

• From E. & J. Gallo to Whole Foods and Napa: Brands Are Increasingly Going Organic

Black Box to test organic, Central Coast expands organic acreage, and Napa's organic estates double in number in 6 years

• The Return of Hospice du Rhone

After pandemic, joy in being together

• Experts Deliver State of the Art Advice on Smoke Taint at Unified Wine Grape Symposium

Top smoke researchers reveal findings

• Knowledge is Power, Says USDA's California Climate Hub Director in Unified Wine Grape Symposium Keynote

USDA to collect and publish its research on drought

• What Wine for Tomorrow? Wine in the Face of Climate Challenges, Paints Picture of Possible Future

French wine expert's comprehensive guide on climate change and wine 

• French Wine Critics Rate Organic and Biodynamic Wines 6-12 Points Higher in Scores Compared to Conventional or Sustainable Wines, Wine Economists Find

A study of 128,000 wines over 20 years brings insights; wine economists say better farming correlates with better scores

• Levels of the Game: Game-Changing Moves On Instagram

Wineries look to pictures to boost appeal

CURRENT 

WineBusiness.com (online)

WIne Business Monthly (print)

Full Pour

Grape and Wine 

Santé

The Tasting Panel/Somm Journal

ARCHIVES

Beverage Media 

Daily Seven Fifty

Pix

Somm India

Wine Industry Advisor

Wines and Vines

• New Bottle Bill Deadline is Approaching Fast, and Action is Required

The new law requires retailers to do a better job of accepting returnables and requires wineries to pay a small fee and label returnables.

--Grape and Wine

• Fire Insurance: A Moving Target

Localized impacts affect some vineyards dramatically, some not at all

--Grape and Wine

• Nonalcoholic Wines: Popularity and Profits Increase

Nonalcoholic wines are appearing on menus at 2 and 3-star Michelin restaurants

--Sante

• The Biopesticide Revolution

Opportunity Knocks for Growers and Investors An Interview with Innovator Pam Marrone

--Grape and Wine

• Nutritional and Ingredient Labeling Changes for U.S. and Wine Exporters to Europe

 EU's Dec. 8, 2023 deadline to add nutritional and ingredient labeling to wine

--Grape and Wine

• Organic Matters

What separates organically grown wines from conventional and sustainable–chemicals. An organic explainer.

--Full Pour magazine (print)

• In This Together: Recapping the RISE Climate and Wine Symposium

Napa Green's RISE GREEN climate summit brings world class speakers to educate, inspire and build community. 

--The Tasting Panel (print + online)

• Hawk and Horse Vineyards Combines Unique Traditions with Biodynamic Farming

A unique Lake County winery with ranching, biodynamic farming and Lake County diamonds.

--Grape and Wine magazine (print + online)

• Leapfrogging from Solar to a Microgrid Domaine Carneros Seeks Energy Independence

Carneros sparkling wine producer finds a way to avoid utility  power shutdowns and maintain a stable energy source.. 

--Grape and Wine magazine (print + online)

• Running dry: Groundwater depletion expert says California water crisis urgently needs state action

Scientist Jay Famiglietti calls on state to be more pro-active on water storage and planning.

--Wine Industry Advisor

• Jancis Robinson at Napa RISE: “The younger you are, the more concerned you are." 

Wine's most famous chronicler lambasts heavyweight bottles in wine.

--Wine Industry Advisor

EDITOR'S PICK

• How a Salad Bar Disaster Changed the Course of U.S. Wine History (pdf)

The history of America's weird no added sulfite organic wine laws revealed at last 

--Pix.com (Pix is in hibernation; see text version on title link)

• Going Green 

What makes eco-certified wines unique: explainer

--Voices/Maze Row Merchant (print + online)

• Bordeaux's Ecological Push

More than 300 wineries are converting to organic certification

--Voices/Maze Row Merchant (print + online)

• Why Organic Winegrowing Can Be More Profitable Than Conventional

Site, skill, quality and markets make the difference 

--Daily Seven Fifty

• New Winery Wastewater Order: Regulatory Overkill or Ecosystem Essential?

Wineries face challenges in submitting complicated water protection plans by Jan. 20 when three year window closes.

• New Winery Glass Recycling Outreach Programs to Capture Glass Bound for Landfill

Glass industry aims to increase glass recovery rates from 31% to 50% by 2030.

• Vineyard Management Software: New Technologies Encourage Better Business and Vineyard Decisions

As ag tech investments shifts into high gear, the digital toolkit is rapidly expanding, arming growers with a wide variety of tools to track and optimize their farming. PLUS: an interview with researcher Mason Earles at the AI and Biophysics Lab at U.C. Davis

• Facing Early Frost Risks from Climate Change, Bordeaux Experiments with New Blends 

Merlot has a distinct downside | 2022 [pdf, page 38-45]

• Sustainability Meets Finance:  Eco-Performance Based Loans, Investors, Retailers and New State Regulations Fuel Climate Progress (or see pdf)

An eco-financial sea change is afoot | 2022

MARKETING AND TECH ISSUES

• Depletions and Beyond: Data and Software Accelerate and Align the Three Tiers (pdf)

How software telegraphed market changes and informed distributor planning during pandemic | 2021

• The Big Pivot: The Wine Industry's Data-Driven Marketing Transformation (pdf)

Looking at the numbers, more and more | 2020

• From Cash Register to Competitive Advantage: POS as MVP (pdf)

Turning transactions into actionable data | 2019

• The Rising Wave Celebrating with Craft Tequila and Mezcal

A look at this growing category through the eyes of celebrity tequila brands and mezcal heritage purists

• From Farm to Table to House Ground Heirloom Masa, Mexican Restaurants Rise to New Heights

Another immigrant food category climbs the culinary ladder of taste

• East and West: Two Evans and Two Takes on Easter Wines

Two coasts, two comms, two picks on what wines to serve for this festive occasion.

• Wine and Water - Wine Cruises: A Perfect Pairing 

Cruise industry embraces wine education as an attraction.

• EcoWine Explained (pdf) or LINK

Organic, biodynamic and sustainable: an explainer

• What It Costs to be Certified Organic | 2017

• The Organic Opportunity: Will the U.S. Miss Out? (op-ed) | 2018

• Green Wine: Where Are We Now?

Who's organic and why